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Board: Dedicate road for Wilson

Mike Kozlosky talks about a proposal to name the interchange and bridge at North 23rd Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway in honor of former DOT board member Lanny Wilson during a Transportation Advisory Committee meeting June 27.

Published: Wednesday, June 27, 2012 at 5:26 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, June 27, 2012 at 5:26 p.m.

A proposal to dedicate an interchange in honor of Lanny Wilson, a former member of the state's Board of Transportation, is moving forward.

The region's Transportation Advisory Committee voted 6-4 Wednesday in favor of the plan despite concerns from some members about the process.

The DOT will ultimately consider the proposal to dedicate the interchange and bridge structure at Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway and North 23rd Street after Wilson.

The measure passed after a substitute motion to honor film producer Frank Capra Jr. failed.

Before the meeting, some committee members had questioned the proposal to honor Wilson, who resigned his post on the transportation board in 2010, the morning before federal prosecutors announced a 51-count indictment against a top aide to then-Gov. Mike Easley.

Though Wilson, a Wilmington attorney and developer, was not charged with a crime, prosecutors tarred him with playing a key role in a "pay-to-play" culture of Easley's administration.

At the Wednesday meeting, Wilmington Councilwoman Laura Padgett, TAC's chairwoman, pointed out Wilson himself was never indicted and praised him for his dedication to the area.

Bill Sue, a Brunswick County commissioner, moved the resolution and Jonathan Barfield, a New Hanover County Commissioner, seconded it.

Pat Batleman, a Leland Councilwoman, then introduced a substitute motion to honor Frank Capra Jr. Reading from that motion, Batleman commended Capra for his contributions to the community during his time as president of EUE/Screen Gems Studios.

Several TAC members said they wanted more time to consider the resolution.

"I feel a little bit uncomfortable considering this issue just on a moment's notice," said Bill Sisson, a Wrightsville Beach alderman.

Earl Sheridan, Wilmington's mayor pro tem, said he wanted more time to reflect.

"I hate to be in a position to have to put one over the other," Sheridan said adding that both were deserving of having something named after them.

Though Padgett initially suggested tabling the proposal, she ruled that Batleman's substitute motion had to be voted on unless it was withdrawn.

Batleman said she wanted a vote on her motion. Some TAC members sighed, then there was a short silence.

Carolina Beach Mayor Pro Tem Steve Shuttleworth said he planned to vote for the Capra resolution, though he stressed it was not a vote against Wilson. He mentioned the possibility of naming another road or structure after Wilson.

Padgett pointed out that there were a lot of new faces on the board, and that the previous board that worked with Wilson would have passed the resolution "without question."

Padgett had board members vote on the Capra motion, which failed 5-5.

Padgett then opened the vote for the resolution to honor Wilson. Six members, Padgett, Sue, Barfield, Sheridan, Sisson and Pender County Commissioner George Brown, voted for the resolution. Batleman, Shuttleworth, Berger and Belville Mayor Jack Batson voted against it.

<p>A proposal to dedicate an interchange in honor of Lanny Wilson, a former member of the state's Board of Transportation, is moving forward.</p><p>The region's Transportation Advisory Committee voted 6-4 Wednesday in favor of the plan despite concerns from some members about the process. </p><p>The DOT will ultimately consider the proposal to dedicate the interchange and bridge structure at Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway and North 23rd Street after Wilson.</p><p>The measure passed after a substitute motion to honor film producer <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic10"><b>Frank Capra Jr.</b></a> failed.</p><p>Before the meeting, some committee members had questioned the proposal to honor Wilson, who resigned his post on the transportation board in 2010, the morning before federal prosecutors announced a 51-count indictment against a top aide to then-Gov. <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic9925"><b>Mike Easley</b></a>.</p><p>Though Wilson, a Wilmington attorney and developer, was not charged with a crime, prosecutors tarred him with playing a key role in a "pay-to-play" culture of Easley's administration.</p><p>At the Wednesday meeting, Wilmington Councilwoman <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic73"><b>Laura Padgett</b></a>, TAC's chairwoman, pointed out Wilson himself was never indicted and praised him for his dedication to the area.</p><p>Bill Sue, a Brunswick County commissioner, moved the resolution and Jonathan Barfield, a New Hanover County Commissioner, seconded it.</p><p>Pat Batleman, a <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic9971"><b>Leland</b></a> Councilwoman, then introduced a substitute motion to honor Frank Capra Jr. Reading from that motion, Batleman commended Capra for his contributions to the community during his time as president of EUE/Screen Gems Studios.</p><p>The studio's North 23rd Street address represents a "perfect mating" with honoring Capra at the nearby interchange, Batleman said. New Hanover County Commissioner <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic9976"><b>Brian Berger</b></a> seconded Batleman's motion.</p><p>Several TAC members said they wanted more time to consider the resolution.</p><p>"I feel a little bit uncomfortable considering this issue just on a moment's notice," said Bill Sisson, a Wrightsville Beach alderman. </p><p><a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic75"><b>Earl Sheridan</b></a>, Wilmington's mayor pro tem, said he wanted more time to reflect.</p><p>"I hate to be in a position to have to put one over the other," Sheridan said adding that both were deserving of having something named after them. </p><p>Though Padgett initially suggested tabling the proposal, she ruled that Batleman's substitute motion had to be voted on unless it was withdrawn.</p><p>Batleman said she wanted a vote on her motion. Some TAC members sighed, then there was a short silence.</p><p>Carolina Beach Mayor Pro Tem Steve Shuttleworth said he planned to vote for the Capra resolution, though he stressed it was not a vote against Wilson. He mentioned the possibility of naming another road or structure after Wilson.</p><p>Padgett pointed out that there were a lot of new faces on the board, and that the previous board that worked with Wilson would have passed the resolution "without question."</p><p>Padgett had board members vote on the Capra motion, which failed 5-5. </p><p>Padgett then opened the vote for the resolution to honor Wilson. Six members, Padgett, Sue, Barfield, Sheridan, Sisson and Pender County Commissioner George Brown, voted for the resolution. Batleman, Shuttleworth, Berger and Belville Mayor Jack Batson voted against it.</p><p>Julian March: 343-2099</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @julian_march</p>